By MARY STANLEY

May 23, 2008 - 1:45:05 PM

Just as the Sandwich Housing Authority begins to move forward with expansion plans and real estate purchases, it is also taking a bit of a step backward.

Last week, Executive Director of the Sandwich Housing Authority Lorri Finton announced that she is leaving the Sandwich authority to take a position as deputy director at the Barnstable Housing Authority.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make. I’ve developed close relationships with the residents and I’ve definitely become attached. I care about everyone here and I will definitely miss them. But this really is a step up in terms of my career,” she said.

Ms. Finton took on the position of executive director in Sandwich two years ago, after the housing authority had spent several years without a director of its own.  Ms. Finton said although she enjoyed working at the Sandwich Housing Authority and was passionate about her work in housing, the state only approved the position as a 26-hour-per-week job and her new position will be a 40-hour-a-week job.

“I need the full-time work. This is such an opportunity. I would have been silly not to go for it,” she said.

But she is not completely walking away from the Sandwich Housing Authority, especially at a time when so much is happening in terms of increasing the number of affordable housing units in town. As executive director, Ms. Finton is responsible for everything from running the payroll to paying landlords their monthly rents.

“I’ll be in and out throughout the summer, helping with the payroll and paying bills. I’ll make sure that things don’t come to a standstill,” she said.

Among the responsibilities that Ms. Finton said she will continue to help with is the George Fernandes II project, as she calls it. According to Ms. Finton this is an expansion to the already existing housing development on George Fernandes Way just off Quaker Meetinghouse Road. The plans call for an addition of 24 units to be constructed on the 10-acre parcel. Of those 24 units, there will be four single bedroom units, four three-bedroom units, and 16 two-bedroom units.

The project is estimated to cost between $6.5 million and $7 million. Ms. Finton said there are some funding sources including a state credit fund, which could provide as much $3 million toward the cost. She said she has also been researching other grant programs.

Vice Chairman of the Sandwich Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Robert F. Simmons said he plans to submit an application to the Community Preservation Committee seeking financial assistance with the project. He is hoping that an article will be on the warrant for a Special Town Meeting in the fall. If voters approve the article, he expects ground-breaking on this new project to begin as early as next spring. Mr. Simmons said plans to expand this housing development have been in the works for some two years now. One of the biggest obstacles hindering progress on the project has been the Eastern box turtle, which is native to that area.

“Apparently, there is guaranteed housing for turtles, but not for families, elderly, or handicapped people,” Mr. Simmons said.

To get around the turtle obstacle, Mr. Simmons said the project had to be designed in such a way as to ensure that there will be undisturbed land for the

endangered species’ habitat.

While work is being done to get that project started, the housing authority is now ready to spend the $235,000 previously received from the community preservation account to purchase existing homes that will be used as rental properties.

Mr. Simmons said that the current conditions of the real estate market make it a prime time to purchase lower-priced homes in Sandwich.  “We are very close to signing purchase and sale agreements on one or two homes,” he said.

He explained that the CPA money will be used for the down payments on the homes and the balance of the mortgage will be paid for from rent monies  collected on the homes. The homes will remain affordable rental properties in perpetuity.

“It’s going to be a busy year but we’re looking forward to it,” Mr. Simmons said.

He said the position of executive director has been advertised and the housing authority’s website, www.sandwichhousing.org, also has listed the position, including the responsibilities, duties, and necessary qualifications.

“It’s a great opportunity for Lorri. She’s done a great job here,” Mr. Simmons said.